Page 36 of Savage Hero

“It’s complicated.” I twirl a chunk of damp hair around my finger as I lean against the wall. “Is everything okay? Are you guys fine?”

“Yeah, I guess. We were worried sick though.”

I glance back at Savage, but he’s still busy with the coffee. “Has…have you seen any weirdos hanging around the motel?”

“W—weirdos?” Athena’s voice goes squeaky. I’ll always call her a baby, even though she’s turning eighteen this year. Like me, she’s petite and blonde. Unlike me, she’s a real geek, shy, introverted as fuck. I’m not even sure Mom told me her real age. Most days, I swear she’s still sixteen. “Nyx, what’s going on?”

“I’m always worried about you guys, you know that.”

“Where are you?”

“I’m with a…friend. Don’t worry about me, okay? I’m in good hands. But I need you to make sure Phoebe gets to school.”

“When are you coming back?”

“I’m not sure, baby, but it’ll be soon.”

“Today?”

I lean my forehead against the wall. “Not today. But soon, I promise.”

There’s a long pause before Athena blows out another breath. “Nyx, please. Just tell me what’s going on. I can handle it. I won’t tell Phoebe.”

I can hear the concern in her voice but the last thing I want is for her to stress about me. I need her strong and focused so she can keep an eye on Phoebe and make sure her grades don’t suffer while I’m not there.

But I can’t tell her about this.

I’ve never lied to Athena. I’ve left things out, maybe, but if she asked me something straight up, I always told her the truth.

“I’m with a guy.”

“Okay…” She stretches out the word. I can practically see her one eyebrow perking up in disbelief.

“Hey!” I snap. “Don’t you take that tone with me, young lady!”

“Aguy? Really?”

“I’ve been with guys.” I sniff, really not appreciating the fact that I have to explain myself to my almost-eighteen-year-old sister. “You make it sound like I grew up in a fucking nunnery.”

“You didn’t?”

“Shut up. Now you go tell Phoebe I’m fine, and I’ll be home in the next couple of days. Can you do that?”

“A guy?Really?”

I’m tempted to end the call…but it might be the last time I ever speak to my baby sister. “Athena, I love you, okay? You and Phoebe both. I don’t want you to worry about me. I’m going to be fine. I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay. Bye,” Athena says reluctantly before she ends the call.

My hand is trembling when I lower the phone from my ear, and it’s half anger, half terror.

I don’t know up from down anymore. I’m in the lair of a monster, but I just told my sister I was safe and it didn’t feel like a half-truth, even though it was. Because while I do feel safe right now, that can change in a heartbeat.

I whirl around when fingers touch my hair.

Savage calmly hands me a cup of coffee, gesturing for his phone. “I gave you what you wanted,” he says, his dark eyes searching mine. “Twice.” At this, his lips quirk into a tiny smile, but it fades away an instant later. “Now it’s my turn.”

I’m still convinced he’s going to unbutton his jeans and rip out his trouser-snake…but then he points to the nearest sofa. “Sit down, and listen.”

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